CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 employee	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Changes in the Company's warranty reserve
Balance, beginning of the year	$ 8,090	$ 9,773	$ 11,528
Provision for warranty claims	7,007	4,808	5,295
Warranty claims paid	(6,950)	(6,478)	(7,260)
Exchange rate impact	(1)	(13)	210
Balance, end of the year	$ 8,146	$ 8,090	$ 9,773
Contingent liabilities and commitments, additional disclosure
Total number of employees	3,121
Total number of hourly employees covered in an agreement	210
Workforce subject to collective bargaining arrangements | Unionized employees concentration risk
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS
Percentage of employees represented by unions	12.90%